Scientific MethodScientific Method

Use Cornell note taking to write the most important information in

this presentation.Use only right page (s)

What is the What is the Scientific Method?Scientific Method?

It is a process It is a process used to gather used to gather information to find information to find answers to answers to questions.questions.

Provides us with Provides us with an organized an organized method for method for conducting and conducting and analyzing an analyzing an experiment.experiment.

Steps in the Scientific Steps in the Scientific MethodMethod Identify a Problem or a Identify a Problem or a

questionquestion HypothesisHypothesis ExperimentExperiment Data CollectionData Collection Analyze DataAnalyze Data Formulate a ConclusionFormulate a Conclusion RetestRetest Communicate the Results/ Communicate the Results/

write a lab reportwrite a lab report

Title

The effect of __________ on _________. independent

dependent variable variable

Problem or Problem or QuestionQuestion

(Based on observations)(Based on observations)

Will Will ________________ affect ________? affect ________?

independentindependent dependentdependent

variablevariable variable variable

HypothesisHypothesis

Shows cause and effectShows cause and effect Must be Must be testabletestable If _______ then ________, If _______ then ________,

independentindependent dependentdependent

variablevariable variablevariable because___________.because___________.

PredictsPredicts an outcome and an outcome and explains why.explains why.

ExperimentExperiment

A A procedure procedure to to testtest the the hypothesishypothesis

..

Scientific Experiments Scientific Experiments Follow RulesFollow Rules

An experimenter changes one factor (independent variable) and observes or measures (dependent variable) what happens.

Variables The factor that is changed

is known as the independent variable.

The factor that is measured or observed is called the dependent variable.

Remember: To be a Remember: To be a Valid Experiment:Valid Experiment:

Two groups are required --- the control & experimental groups

There should be only one variable

What is the Purpose of What is the Purpose of a Control group?a Control group?

Control Group is the group NOT being tested, used for COMPARISON

Experimental Group is the group being tested.

ConstantsConstants The experimenter makes a The experimenter makes a

special effort to keep special effort to keep other other factors constantfactors constant so that they so that they will not effect the outcome.will not effect the outcome.

Everything that stays the Everything that stays the same are called same are called control control variables or constants.variables or constants.

Repeated # of Trials

One more thing… it is best to make several trials with each independent variable.

DataData Results of the experiment May be

quantitative (numbers) or qualitative (descriptive)

DataData Must be

organized Can be

organized into charts, tables, or graphs

Temp (independent var.)

Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

Hot (40C)

Cold (15C)

Warm (30C)

Room temp (25C)

ConclusionConclusion

Did your data support on not support your hypothesis?

Error Analysis-Error Analysis-RetestRetest

In order to verify the results, experiments must be retested.

How can you improve your experiment?

Scientific Method Output (left Page)

Paste into your first left page next to Scientific Method Cornell Notes.

Use your notes to fill in the blanks.

Scientific Method Lab Report (use next Right Page: this will be your example for every lab report in the future)

Title The effect of _______ on ________. Problem Will __________ affect __________ ? Hypothesis If ___________ then ____________. Independent Variable __________ Dependent Variable __________ Control Group __________ Constants __________ Results

Create a table to record data as you collect it during yourexperiment.

Write these two in your left page. Analysis and Conclusion My hypothesis was/was not supported by

my data collected. Explain why or why not. ( 5 sentences)

Error Analysis How can you improve this experiment? Explain how and

why you need to do this. (5 sentences)

Temp (independent var.)

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Hot (40C)

Cold (15C)

Warm (30C)

Room temp (25C)

Helicopter labYou will use your understanding of the

scientific method to test any variable you want in a paper helicopter.

You will set up a lab report and fill in the necessary information as you come up with it on your own. An example is given in the title. You may use this variable or any other interesting variable you want.

Have FUN!!!

Title The effect of _direction of the blades_ on _direction the helicopter spins.

Problem Will __________ affect __________ ? Hypothesis If ___________ then ____________. Independent Variable __________ Dependent Variable __________ Control Group __________ Constants __________ Results

Create a table to record data as you collect it during yourexperiment.

Write these two in your left page.

Analysis and Conclusion My hypothesis was/was not supported by my data collected. Explain why or why not. ( 5 sentences)

Error Analysis How can you improve this experiment? Explain how and why you need to do this. (5 sentences)

Temp (independent var.)

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3